Railway signaling



J. M. PELIKAN RAILWAY rSIGNALING June 8, 1937.

2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Feb. l5, 1936 J. M. PELIKAN RAILWAY SIGNALING June 8,Y 1937.

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. l5, 1936 Patented June 8, 1937 Unirse srArss iPArsNr orricE y RAILWAY SIGNALING Application February 15, 1936, Serial No. 64,093

15 Claims. (Cl. 246-50) My invention relates to railway signaling, and particularly to signaling involving wayside signals located along a trackway for governing the passage of trains.

A feature of my invention is the provision of novel and improved apparatus for establishing a distinctive control for each of three track sections in the rear of an occupied section. Each distinctive control is effective to cause a correspending aspect of the wayside signals, whereby there is produced a three-block, four-indication, system of signaling.

I will describe one form of Vapparatus embody-Y ing my invention, and will then point out the i5 novel features thereof in claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figs. 1A and 1B are diagrammatic views, which when placed end to end in the order named, illustrate one form of apparatuslembodying my invention.

Referring to the drawings, the reference characters 8 and 9 designate the rails of a stretch of railway track along which traic normally moves in the direction indicated by the arrows. These rails are divided by insulated joints IIJ into a I, plurality of track sections W-X, X-Y, and

Each track section is divided by insulated joints Il] into at least two subsections IT, 2T, 3T, 4T, etc. Each subsection is provided with a track circuit which includes a track battery II connested across the rails at one end of the subsection and a track relay, designated by the reference character R with a preiix the same as the reference character of the associated subsection, connected across the other end of the subsection.

To govern the passage of trains through the stretch of railway, a wayside signal, designated by a suitable distinguishing reference character, is provided for each track section. Each of these 4Q signals includes an upper unit U and a lower unit L. These units may take any one of several forms of. signal mechanism such as semaphore, color light, searchlight, or position light. As here shown, each upper unit is a color light signal capable of displaying a red light R, a yellow light Y, and a green light G,'and each lower unit is a color light signal capable of displaying a green light G and a red light R.

Each section is provided with a polarized sig- ,w nal control relay designated by the reference character H with a prefix the same as the reference character of the associated signal.

Each section is also provided with two auxiliary signal control relays designated by the reference .55 characters S and HP, respectively, each with a prex the same as the reference character of the associated signal.

Each relay HP functions as a repeating relay for the associated H relay. For example, the relay IZI-HD is controlled by front contact I6 of the relay I2H so that the relay IZI-lP becomes energized or deenergized according as the relay I2H is energized or deenergized. Each of the relays HP is controlled in a similar manner by the associated relay H. Y l0 Each relay S is provided with a pickup circuit and stick circuit each controlled by the associated relay H. For example, the relay ISSis provided with a pickup circuit which passes from terminal B of a suitable source of energy through front l5 contact I1 of relay ISH, reverse polar contact IB-IS of relay ISH, and relay ISS to terminal C of the same source of energy, and with a stick circuit which passes from terminal B'through front contact I'l of re1ay'I3H,"front contact'2ll 20 of relay I3S,l and relay I3S to terminal Cr Relay I3S, therefore, will become energized whenever relay 'I3H is energized in the reverse direction and Will then remain energized-as long as relay I3H is energized in either direction. 'A Each of 25 the relays S is controlled by the associated relay H in a similar manner.

Each'section is provided with aY line circuit including a 'pair ofline wires extending to the y signal next in advance and controlled by each 30 o-f the associated track relays. Each line circuit, as will be explained more in detail hereinafter, is reversibly governed by two pole changers, one of which includes contacts of the relaysvI-I and HP forthe section next in advance and the other of which includes contacts of the relay S for the section in advance.

Each signal control relay H is connected directly to the associated line circuit.

Eachlsignal is controlled by the associated re- I lays H, HP, and S in the following manner: When relay HP is'V deenergized (see signal I5), the red lamp R of the upper unit U of that signal is lighted by a circuit which passes from terminal B through back point of contact 2| of relay I5HP v 45 and lamp R to 'terminal C; and the red'lamp R of the lower unit L is lighted by a circuit which passes from terminal B through back' Contact 22 of relay I5l-1P and lamp R to terminal C. The signal then displays a red light over a red light to indicate stop. When relay H is energized in the normal direction and relay HP is energized, but relay S is deenergized (see signal I4), the yellow lamp Y of the upper unit U of that signal is lighted by a circuit which passes from terminal B through front point of contact 23 of relay I 4HP, normal polar contact 24-25 of relay I4H, back point of contact 26 of relay I4S, and lamp Y to terminal C; and the red lamp R of the 5 lower unit L is lighted by a circuit which passes from terminal B through front point of contact 23 of relay I4HP, normal polar contact 24-25 of relay I4H, and lamp R to terminal C. The signal then displays a yellow light over a red light to indicate prepare to stop at next signal.

When the relay H is energized in the reverse direction and both relays S and HP are energized (see signal I3), the yellow lamp Y of the `upper unit U of that signal is lighted by a circuit which l5 passes from terminal B through frontpoint of contact 2'I of relay I3HP, reverse polar contact 28-29 of relay I3H, and lamp Y to terminal C; and the green lamp of thelower unit L iszlighted by a circuit which passes over the samer path as just traced for the lamp Y up to and including reverse polar contact 28-29 and thence through front contact 30 of relay I3Sand lamp G to terminal C. 'Ihe signal then displays a yellow light over a green light to indicate approach 25 next signal at medium speed. When the relay H is energized in the normal direction and both relays S and HP are energized (see signal I2), the green lamp G of the upper unit U of that signal is lighted by a circuit which passes from ,30 terminal B through front point of contact 3| of relay IZHP, normal polar contact 32-33 of relay I2H, front point of contact 34 of relay I2S, and lamp G to terminal C; and the red lamp R'of the lower unit L is lighted by a circuit which passes from terminal B through front point of contact 3| of relay I2HP, normal polar contact 32-33 of relay I2I-I, and lamp R to terminal C. The signal then displays a green light over a red light to indicate proceed at normal speed.

40 To sum up thus far, each signal is controlled by a polarized relay H and a repeating relay HP as well as by a stick relay S, and is caused to display a stop indication when the repeating relay is deenergized; a restrictive proceed indication when the polarized relay is energized in the normal direction, providedV the repeating relay is also energized and the stick relay is deenergized, a less restrictive proceed indication when the polarized relay is energized in the reverse kdirection, provided both the stick relay and the repeating relay are energized; and a normal proceed indication when the polarized relay is energized in the normal direction, provided both the stick relay and the repeating relay are energized.

As shown in the drawings, the section 'IT is occupied by'a train K so that relay I 5H is deenergized, and consequently, both relays ISHP and ISS also are deenergized. Current is now supplied to the relay I4H in the normal direction over a line circuit which passes from terminal B through back point of contact 35 of relay ISS, back point of contact 35 of relay ISHP, Vback point of contact 31 of relay ISH, front contact 38 of track relay STR, lfront contact 39 of track relay STR, relay I4H, front contact 40 of track relay STR, front vcontact 4I of track relay 6 TR, back point of contact 42 of relay ISHyback point of contact 43 of relay ISHP, and back point of contact 44 of relay ISS to terminal C.

Since relay I4His energized inthe normal direction and relays I4HP and I4S are. energized and deenergized, respectively, current is'now supplied to relay I3H in the reverse direction over a line circuit which passes from terminal B through back point of contact 45 of relay 14S, front point of contact 4S of relay I 4HP, front point of contact 41 of relay I 4H, front contact 48 of relay 4TR, front contact 49 of relay 3TR, relay ISH, front contact S0 of relay 3TR, front contact SI of relay 4TR, front point of contact S2 of relay I4H, front point of contact S3 of relay I 4HP, and back point of contact 54 of relay I4S to terminal C.

Since relay I3H is energized in the reverse di rection and both relays ISHP and I3S are energized, relay I2H is energized in the normal direction over a line circuit which passes from terminal B through front point of contact SS `of relay ISS, front point of contact S6 of relay I3HP, front point of contact 51 of relay I3H, 'iront contact 58 of relay 2TR, front contact 59 of relay ITR, relay |2H, front contact 60 of relay I'IR, `front contact 6I of relay 2'I'R, front point of contact 62 of relay I3H, front point of contact 63 of relay I3HP, and front point of contact 64 oi relay I3S to terminal C.

Since relays I 2H, I2HP, and I2S are all energized, the line circuit for the section next in rear of section W-X is supplied with energy in the normal direction over front points of contacts 65 and S6 of relay IZS, front points of contacts G'I and 68 of relay I2HP, and front points of contacts 69 and 'Ill of relay I2H.

When the train K passes out of the section to the right of location Z, relay ISH and, conseduently,rrelay ISHP also Will become energized to energize relay I4H in the reverse direction. When relay I4H is energized in the reverse direction, relay IGS will become energized so that relay I3I-I will be supplied with energy in the normal direction. Since relays I3S and ISHP are already energized, the signal I3 will bev caused to display a green light over a red light, that is, the normal proceed indication.

It will be noted that the polarized relays H are oi' the Well-known retained neutral armature type. That is, the neutral armatures of these relays will not release during pole-changing periods.

. 'This feature insures that the auxiliary signal control relay S, after having been picked up, will not release to cause an improper signal indication when the associated H relay is supplied with energy in the normal direction. For example, when the train K vacates the section to the right of location Z so that relay I3H is supplied with energy in the normal direction to provide the normal proceed indication at signal I3, front neutral contact I 'I Iof relay ISH will not become opened to release relay ISS. This feature also insures against signal iiashing and tumble-down of the signal control relays in the rear, For example, when relay I3H is supplied with current in the normal direction, the front points of its neutral contacts I1, 5l, and 62 do not open. Consequently, the front contacts of relays ISI-IP and I3S remain closed so that both momentary iiashing of the red lamps at signal I3 and momentary opening of the line circuit for section W--X is avoided.

The slow-releasing feature of the relays HP is provided to insure proper signal indications in the event a train moves through the stretch of railway in a direction opposite to the normal direction of traic. That is, the slow-releasing characteristic of these relays provides a momentary opening of the line circuit to the rear to insure the release of the auxiliary signal control relay S controlled by the retained neutral polarized relay connected'to that line circuit. For Cxample, if section X--Y becomes occupied by a vrIhe releasing of these relays would also supply the line circuit for section W-X with kenergy in the normal direction. Due, however, to the slowreleasing characteristic of relay I3HP,v the line circuit would become opened a sufficient length of time to permit the opening of front neutral contact I5 of relay IZH so that auxiliary signal control relay I2S would become deenergized. It is readily apparent that if relay IZS did not become released, the signal I2 would continue to display the normal proceed indication instead of the more restrictive prepare to stop at next signal-y indication.

From the foregoing description, it is apparent that the apparatus embodying my invention provides a three-block, four-indication, signaling system which requires but. two line control Wires,

which is free from undesirable signal flashing and tumble-down of signal control to the rear and which requires only direct current for its operation.

' Although I have herein shown and described only' one form of apparatus embodying my invention, it is understood that various changes and modifications may be made therein within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A railway signal system comprising a stretch of railway track divided into a plurality of .track l sections each having a track circuit including a track relay, a line circuit for each section including a contact of the associated track relay, a polarized relay for each section connected to the associated line circuit, a pole changer for each section controlled by the associated polarized relay for reversibly governing the line circuit for the section'next in rear of the associated section, another relay for each section governed by the associated polarized relay, another pole changer for each section governed by the associated other relay for also reversibly governing the line circuit for such section next in rear, and a signal for each section governed by the associated polarized relay and by the associated other relay.

2. A railway signal system comprising a stretch of railway track divided into a plurality of track sections each having a track circuit including a track relay, a line circuit for each section including a contact of the associated track relay, a polarized line relay for each section connected to the associated line circuit, an auxiliary relay for each section' which becomes energized when the associated line relay is energized in the reverse direction and which then remains energized as long as the associated line relay is energized in either direction, means effective when one section is occupied to supply the line circuit for the section rst in rear of such occupied section with current in the normal direction, means then eiective to supply the line circuit for the section second in rear of such occupied section with current in the reverse direction, means then effective to supply the line circuit for the section third in rear of such occupied section with current in the normal direction, and Vtraffic governing means for the stretch controlled by said polarized relays and by said auxiliary relays.

3. A railway signal system comprising a stretch of railway track divided into a plurality of track sections each having a track circuit including a track relay, a line circuit for each section includingy a front contact of the associated track relay, a polarized line relay for each section connected to the associated line' circuit, a stick relay for each section having a pickup circuit including a contact closed only when theassociated line relay is energized by current of reverse polarity and a stick circuit including a contact closed when such line relay is energized by current of either polarity, means controlled by the line relay of each section for reversibly governing the supply of current to the line circuit for the section next in rear, means controlled by each stick relay for also reversibly governing the supply of current to such line circuit in rear, andv a signal for each section governed jointly by the associated line and stick relays.

4. A railway signal system comprising a stretch of railway track divided into a plurality of track sections each having a track circuit including a track relay, a line circuit for each section including a contact of the associated track relay, a polarized line relay'fo-r each section connected to the associated line circuit, an auxiliary relay for each section controlled by the associated line relay in such a manner that the associated auxiliary relay becomes energized when such line relay isl'energized by `current in one direction and cation When the associated line relay is energized reverse and the associated auxiliary relay is energized, and a normal proceed indication y when the associated line relay is energized normal and the associated auxiliary relay is energized.

5. In combination, a section of railway track, a iirst relay governed by traflic conditions in advance of said section, a repeating relay having a slow-releasing characteristic and energized or deenergized according as said rst relay is .energized or deenergized, a line circuit for said section and supplied with current of one polarity or the other polarity according as said two relays are both energized or deenergized, a polarized relay connected to said line circuit and having a retained neutral armature, an auxiliary relay which becomes energized when said polarized relay is energized by current of one polarity and which then remains energized as long as said retained neutral armature is attracted, and a signal: for said section governed jointly by said two last mentioned relays. f `r l 6. In combination, a rear section and a forward section of railway track, a signal for the rear section, a polarized relay for controlling said signal and having a retained neutral armature, an auxiliary relay governed by said retained neutral armature for also 'controlling said signal, a line circuit connected vto said polarized relay, a pole changer for reversibly governing said line circuit in accordance with trailic conditions in said for- Ward section, and means included in said pole changer for opening said'line circuit for a period of time sufficient to permit the release of said retained neutral armature when-the forward section becomes occupied by a train. Y

7. A railway signal system comprising a stretch of railway track divided into a plurality of track sections each having a track circuit including a track relay, a line circuit for each section including a contact of the associated trackrelay, a polarized relay for each section connected to the associated line circuit, an vauxiliary relay for each section, each said auxiliary relay being energized when the associated polar relay is energized by current of one polarity and then being f retained in the energized condition as long as such associated polarized relay is energized in either direction, means for each section including contacts of the associated polarized relay for reversibly governing the line circuit for the section next in rear of the associated section, means for each section including contacts of the associated auxiliary relay for reversibly governing the supply of current to said first ymeans, and a signal for each section governed by the associated polarized auxiliary relays.

8. In combination, a forward section and a rear section of railway track, a line circuit for the rear section, a polarized relay having a retained neutral armature and connected tofsaid line circuit, another relay for the rear section, means for energizing said other relay, means governed by the neutral armature of Ysaid polarized relay for then maintaining said other relay in the energized condition, a signal for the rear section and arranged to display a less restrictive or a more restrictive indication according as said other relay is energized or deenergized respectively when said polarized relay is energized, and means governed by traffic conditions in the forward section for reversibly governingthe supply of current to said line circuit and for momentarily opening said line circuit when the forward section becomes occupied byV a train thereby releasing said neutral armature to cause said signal to display the more restrictive indication.

9; A railway signal system comprising a first, a second, a third, anda fourth section of railway track over which trac normally progresses in the order named,'a polarized signal control relay for each section, each said polarized relay being normally energized by current of one polarity, a neutral normally energized signal control relay for each section, means effective when the fourth section is occupied by a train to deenergize both relays of that section, means then effective to energize the polarized relayfor the third section. with current of said one polarity and to deenergizethe neutral relay f that section, means then effective to energize the polarized relay for the second section with current of opposite polarity and to maintain the energization of the neutral relay of that section, means then effective to energize the polarized relay for the first section with current of said one polarity and to maintain the energization of the neutral relay of that section, and a signal for each .section governed by the two signal control relays associated with such section.

10. A railway signal system comprising a rst, second, a third, and a fourth section of railway track over which trafiic normally progresses in the order named, a polarized signal control relay for each section, each said polarized relay being normally energized by current of one polarity, a neutral normally energized signal control relay for each section, means effective when the fourth section is occupied by a train to deenergize both relays of thatsection, means then effective to energizethe polarized relay for the third Section with current of said one polarity and to deenergize the neutral relay of that section, means then eective to energize the polarized relay for the second section with current of opposite polarity and to maintain the energization of the neutral relay of that section, means then effective to energize the polarized relay for the first section with current of said one polarity and to maintain the energization of the neutral relay of that section, a signal for the fourth section governed by thev two associated signalv control relays and'caused to indicate stop, and a signal for the third andY second as well as the first sec-v tion governed by the two associated Signal control .relays and caused to display three distinctive proceed indications having successively less speed restrictions in the order named.

11. A railway signal system comprising a first, a second, a thirdyand a fourth section of railway trackV over which traffic normally progresses in the order named, a polarized signal control relay for each section, each said polarized relay being normally energized by current of one polarity, a neutral normally energized signal control relay for each section, means effective when the fourth section isl occupied by a train to deenergize both relays of,v that section, means then effective to energize the polarized relay for the third section with current of said one polarity and to deenergize the neutral relay of that section, means then effective toenergize the polarized relay for the secondsection with current of opposite polarity and to maintain the energization of the neutral relay of that section, means then effective to energize the polarized relay for the first section with current of said one polarity and tomaintain the energization of the neutral relay of `that section, and a color light Signal for each -section governed by the two associated signal control relays, said signal for the fourth section being caused' to display a red light over a red light, said signal for Vthe third section being caused to display a yellow light over a red light, said signal'for the second section being caused to display a yellow light over a green light, and said signal vfor the first section being caused to display a: green light over a red light.

12. A railway signal system comprising a first, a second, athird, and a fourth section of railway track over which traffic normally progresses in the order named, a polarized signal control relay for each section, each said polarized relay being normally energized by currentl of one' polarity, a neutral normally energized signal control relay for each section, means effective when the fourth section is occupied by a train to deenergize both relays of that section, means then 'effective to energize the polarized relay for the thirdy section with current of said one polarity and to deenergize the neutral relay of that section, means then effective to energize the polarized relay for the second section with current' of opposite polarity and to maintain the energization o-f the vneutral relay of that section, means then effective to energize the polarized relay for the first section with current of said one polarity and to maintain the energization of the neutral relay of that section, and a signal for each section governedy by the two associated signal control relays, said signals for the fourth and for the third as Well as for the second sections each being caused to display a different aspect to indicate `that the fourth Vsection is occupied and said signal for the first section being caused to display the normal proceed aspect.

13. In combination, a section of railway track; a signal for said section comprising a first unit and a second unit, said tWo units each including a red and a green lamp and said first unit also including a yellow lamp; a polarized relay, a repeating relay, a stick relay, means for energizing said polarized relay in the normal direction or in the reverse direction, means for energizing said repeating relay when said polarized relay is energized in either direction, means for energizing said stick relay when said polarized relay is energized in the reverse direction and for then maintaining the energization of the stick relay as long as said polarized relay is energized in either direction, a circuit for the green lamp of said first unit including a normal polar contact of said polarized relay and a front Contact of said stick relay, two circuits for the yellow lamp one including a normal polar contact of said polarized relay and a back contact of said stick relay and the other including a reverse polar contact of said polarized relay, a circuit for the red lamp of said rst unit including a back contact of said repeating relay, a circuit for the green lamp of said second unit including a re-` verse polar contact of said polarized relay and a front contact of said stick relay, and two circuits for the red lamp of said second unit one including a normal polar Contact of Said polarized relay and the other including a back contact of said repeating relay.

14. In combination, a section of railway track divided into at least tvvo sub-sections each having a track circuit including a track relay, a pair of line conductors each including a contact of each track relay, a polarized relay connected to said line circuit, means governed by traino conditions in advance of .said section for reversibly governing the supply of current to said line circuit, another relay which becomes energized when said polarized relay is energized in a particular direction and which then remains energized as long as said polarized relay is energized in either direction, and a signal for said section caused to indicate a less restrictive or a more restrictive indication according as said other relay is energized or deenergized respectively when said polarized relay is energized.

15. In combination, a plurality of successive sections of railway track each having a track circuit including a track relay, a line circuit for each section including a contact of the associated track relay, a polarized relay for each section connected to the associated line circuit, an auX- iliary relay for each section, each said auxiliary relay being energized when the associated polarized relay is energized in the reverse direction and then remaining energized as long as such v associated polarized relay is energized in either direction, means effective when the polarized relay and the auxiliary relay are both deenergized to supply current in the normal direction to the line circuit for the section next in rear of the associated section, means eiective when the polarized relay is energized and the auxiliary relay is deenergized to supply current in the reverse direction to the line circuit for Such rear section, means effective when the polarized relay and the auxiliary relay are both energized to supply current for the normal direction to the line circuit for such rear section, and a signal for each section governed jointly by the associated polarized and auxiliary relays.

JOHN M. PELIKAN. 

